Peter Moody may have his mind on the world stage with Black Caviar but a three-year-old named Brambles has him in strong contention to claim next month’s Queensland Derby.
Brambles ($5) grabbed victory by a half head over Toowoomba bolter Margins ($61) in Saturday’s Group Three Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben.
New Zealand filly Poste Restante ($7) finished a short head away third.
Moody was in Adelaide to saddle up champion Black Caviar in the Group One Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville but Bronwyn Upjohn representing owners OTI was thrilled with the gelding’s victory.
“He’s a very tough horse and is always a trier,” Upjohn said.
“After a win like that it’s all systems go for the Derby.”
The Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) will be run at Eagle Farm on June 9.
Upjohn praised winning jockey Brad Rawiller for his clever ride on the son of Savabeel who was coming off a last start third to Trump in the Group Three Gunsynd Classic at Eagle Farm 10 days ago.
“Brad rode him a treat and had to push out on him to win,” she said.
Rawiller said Brambles would have been a good thing beaten had he not prevailed in the three-way finish.
“It’s always a fine line with this horse to ride him forward,” Rawiller said.
“I had to use him up a bit too much by the time we got to the post the first time but it was a very good win.”
Trainer Ben Currie rated Margins unlucky not to win and said he was looking forward to a rematch with Brambles in the Queensland Derby.
“I thought he was a bit stiff not to win,” Currie said.
“He got pole-axed in the back straight and went back to last.”
A suprise result looked on the cards halfway down the straight when Margins got to the front momentarily but his run petered out.
Kiwi trainer Howard Mathews is eagerly looking forward to the Group One Queensland Oaks (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 2 following Poste Restante’s eye-catcher for the minor placing.
“It was an amazing ride from Chris Munce and the Queensland Oaks can’t come quick enough,” Mathews said.
“Chris said before the race he thought it would be a muddling affair and that’s how it turned out.
“It’s been six weeks since this filly last raced and she’ll go on to the Oaks and then the Queensland Derby.”
